It's nice to have quiet time in a crowded restaurant.
If you've never dined alone, you're missing out. It can be a little bit scary to begin with, but if you take a book (or have good games on your cellphone) it can be lovely to sit somewhere warm, have someone bring you food, and just enjoy the time to think your own thoughts and people watch. My favorite place to go is a Thai restaurant close to work, and I usually go there on days when I think I'm getting sick. Don't worry, I'm not a psycho bent on spreading my germs to unsuspecting folk - but I am convinced that a steaming bowl of spicy tom yum soup can stop a cold in its tracks. Today was no exception. I'd been battling a sore throat all morning, but I swear all that chilli and lemongrass cleared any lurking virus away before it could take hold!
I am naturally someone who likes spending time alone, doing something crafty, or reading. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my friends and going out to parties etc, but if I had to choose I would usually rather stay tucked up at home. So sometimes a public yet solitary experience can be quite enjoyable - you get to go out and do something fun, but you can make all the choices about what you do, and you can go home to bed whenever you want! I really want to try going to a movie alone, which I'm sure would be easier than a restaurant, but somehow I think I would feel creepy. Depends on the movie I suppose....
